Topic and Story Angles

Topic: parking problem at CU (lack, expenses, etc.)

Potential angles:

Crowding indicates that the University may not have adequately provided for an increased number of students attending CU. How many spaces are there, vs. how many students attend class in any given day? What suggestions for alternatives does the University offer to students unable to park on campus?

People generally expect, or at least hope, that their fees correspond with concrete expenses. When was the last fee increase? What is the cost for maintaining the lots? When was the last parking lot built? What does the money for parking passes go if not to creating additional parking?

Scooter sales are up, and Colorado law doesn't require a motorcycle license or registration for scooters under 50cc's and treats them overall as bicycles rather than motor vehicles, allowing them to lock up to fence railings and bike racks. More students are probably arriving on campus by two [motorized] wheels instead of four. Can they lock up in bike racks? Has that eased the squeeze for parking? Has it put a premium on space in bike racks? What are the rules for safety as someone passes through campus?

CU Denver recently started participating in an online rideshare organization that helps students find other students who are coming to campus at the same time and from nearby locations, thereby making it easy for students to organize carpools. Does CU Boulder have any plans to seek out an organization like this and encourage students to take advantage of it?

How is the price of gasoline trickling down to mean higher education costs more? If gas is up, and parking fees are up, not to mention the costs for food and utilities, have scholarships and loans stretched to provide for students who depend on them to cover their living expenses as well as their tuition bills?